Inflation unchanged

03/04/2008 15:00

Dutch inflation was 2.2 percent in March, the same as in February. In January and February there was a marginal increase relative to the preceding months. Inflation is calculated as the increase of the consumer price index (CPI) compared with the same month in the previous year.

Higher prices for food and non-alcoholic drinks contributed 0.6 percentage points to March’s inflation. The increase in the costs of transport contributed 0.5 percentage points. The sector hotels and restaurants added another 0.2 percentage points. Prices of communication services, on the other hand, had a downward effect on inflation.

The harmonised consumer price index (HICP) allows comparison between the member states of the European Union. The Dutch inflation rate calculated according to this method was 1.9 percent in March. This is 0.1 percentage points down on February. Dutch inflation was considerably lower than the eurozone average. According to Eurostat, the statistical bureau of the EU, the eurozone inflation rate was 3.5 percent in March.